The two went to Coolgreens, a casual spot in Nichols Hills. Parsons, who then had just wrapped up his collegiate career at Florida, was the only player to get an invitation among a 12-man group in town for a pre-draft workout.

“It was more like, ‘let's just hang out and get to know each other,'” Parsons said.

The Thunder owned the 24th pick in that year's draft, and Parsons was very much in play. Oklahoma City ultimately selected Reggie Jackson. Parsons went 14 picks later, in the middle of the second round, to the Houston Rockets.

“I use that as motivation,” Parsons said, “that every single team in this league passed on me. So I try to make them pay every single game.”

Oklahoma City included.

“They are definitely on that list. They passed on me. They had the 24th pick, right?” Parsons recalled. “I'll never forget that.”

Nearly two years after the Thunder passed on him, Parsons now returns to Oklahoma City seeking the ultimate payback. He'd like nothing more than to help the upstart Rockets upset the top-seeded Thunder. And it just so happens he could be the Rockets X-factor in this opening-round series.

“He does all the intangibles,” said Thunder guard Kevin Martin, a teammate of Parsons last season. “Kind of like a Nick Collison on the wing.”

With the Thunder expected to focus much of its defensive attention on former fan favorite James Harden, Parsons could emerge as the Rockets player who benefits most.

Parsons ranks second on the Rockets in scoring at 15.5 points per game. He also ranks second in rebounds at 5.3 per game and third in assists at 3.5 per game.

On a team that finished second in 3-pointers made this season, Parsons' 152 makes from beyond the arc ranked third for the Rockets.

“He can do it all on the offensive end,” said Kevin Durant. “So I've got my work cut out for me.”

MORE FROM NEWSOK

Darnell Mayberry grew up in Langston, Okla. and is now in his third stint in the Sooner state. After a year and a half at Bishop McGuinness High, he finished his prep years in Falls Church, Va., before graduating from Norfolk State University in...